Eragon: Forever
The Talk
Well, I have to say, I am so sorry for the huge delay, I've not been able to get a break with homework and other school stuff, mixed with finding time to game with my mates or spend time with my family, but I promise, I will never take a month to update ever again. Along with that, I have had writers block with how to make the next 2 chapters not boring, but to keep them in the story. I want to thank LurkxReptile for reigniting my inspiration to continue writing with his comment. Anyway, here's the next chapter, and as always, please enjoy.
Eragon, hurry up, we have a long way to go, you can clean yourself when we stop later tonight. Saphira scolded, getting quite board and was already to leave.
But... Saphira... It's really... Annoying. He said between licking his scales clean of blood spatters from his breakfast earlier that morning. Saphira had managed to make less of a mess then he had, and had finished cleaning herself long before he even finished eating.
She slowly moved closer to him, it's not that difficult, it doesn't take me ten minutes to clean myself, here let me help. Before he could respond, or even understand what she could have meant by help, she began to lick his scales clean.
He blinked out of confusion, and it took him a few seconds to realise what was going on. When he finally realised that the sapphire dragon has decided to take cleaning him into her own hands, which made him pull away in embarrassment. He was still adjusting to life as a dragon, and felt slightly awkward around Saphira at times.
Stop squirming and it will be finished quicker. She said as she moved towards him to continue licking his dark blue scales clean, to which he jumped back to avoid her.
Saphira stop it, I don't need you to clean me as if I'm your hatchling. He sighed, realising there was no use in trying to argue with her, and gave into his humiliating bath.
She had finally finished licking him clean, which only took about a minute or two, which meant that they were finally able to set off back to the mainland. Are you ready 'Little One'. She mocked as she took off into the air.
Fine, But next time I have a meal, you aren't allowed anywhere near me until I've finished cleaning myself.
Agreed, as long as next time you eat your meal without making a mess everywhere.
He took off and quickly took position next to Saphira, ready for his first proper journey as a dragon. He looked over to her, only to see a toothy grin on her face. What are you so happy about...
Nothing. She replied, perhaps a little too quickly. He didn't quite believe her, as after she answered, she looked away from him.
Please Saphira, tell me what you're smiling at. She didn't respond, but he could have a good guess at what it was that was making her so happy. He didn't mind her silence anyway, he knew she would tell him sooner or later.
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On their flight, they talked about a lot of things, such as where they might live once they got back, or Eragon asked questions about the art of flying, to which Saphira showed him how to do a few different aerial manoeuvres and tricks, many of which Eragon couldn't even attempt to do yet.
However, for a long while, both Saphira and Eragon were quiet towards the end of their journey, and just as the mainland came into view, she had a question which she couldn't hold in any longer. Eragon?
Yeah Saphira
How do you feel about being... Like this? She asked
You mean being a Dragon? He answered, slightly confused at her vague question.
No... Well Yes... But I mean about... Us? She finally managed to say, feeling quite awkward, but glad she finally managed to ask the question which has been on her mind for the past couple of days.
Erm, well... I know that I... that I have strong feelings for you. I don't know, why'd you ask? How do you feel about us? He replied, unsure of what he should say, or even how he truly felt. He knew he wanted to be with her, but was afraid to 'Take the plunge' so to say.
There was a long pause, until she finally replied. You know how I feel, I love you Eragon but I want you to be happy as well, and if you aren't ready, well then...
Saphira-. He exclaimed, eyes wide at what he saw in front of them.
...I can wait. She finished, only then realising Eragon had said something else, she looked at him, and saw what looked like amazement and a hint of fear in his eyes. He gave a low growl at whatever it was he could see. What is it.
Look over there. She turned to see what he was on about, only to see a blaze flying through the sky. By now it was getting dark, which made the torrent of colours in the flame even more of a spectacle to see.
Is that the-
Phoenix. They both finished, as they saw the magnificent bird flying towards them. The Phoenix was larger than they first expected after first seeing it on their way to Vroengard, being only slightly smaller than they were. They then noticed that the bird was picking up speed, and was now only fifty or so meters away from them.
CRASH, as the mighty bird crashed into Saphira, and began to claw and peck at her in mid flight. Saphira released a torrent of flame over the Phoenix, which seemed to have little to no effect at all.
She realised she was going to have to use brute force to batter the phoenix off, however the mighty bird had begun to force Saphira down onto the beach they were passing over. The phoenix was strong, and there was nothing she could do to get it off. She was trapped.
Eragon had started in pursuit of them, but the phoenix was much quicker by far, and had already reached the land, and had Saphira pinned down. He flew as fast as his wings would allow him, drawing closer and closer. SLAM. He hit the phoenix in its side, and with his greater size and weight managed to free Saphira of the beast's grip.
The Giant bird however, was much stronger than he anticipated, and managed to use its talons to cause an oozing wound on his side. He winced in pain, but managed to bat the phoenix off, giving Saphira time to attack from behind, and lock her jaw onto its neck.
Please, Stop. A melodic voice rang through his and Saphiras minds. It took him a few second to realise that the voice was coming from the Phoenix, which he now guessed was a female.
Who are you? Why did you attack Saphira like that? He asked in a low tone, growling to show his anger at the bird.
I am Azura, Last of the Phoenix's thanks to your race. She spat out at them. It was a red dragon and his human who killed my mate, so I vowed that I would have my vengeance, for all of my species, starting with the dragon race.
But why? Saphira asked. What have WE ever done to you, we didn't even know your race existed until a few days ago, and you go blaming us for what happened to your race. Her voice still showed the anger she felt for Azura however she felt sympathy for the phoenix. Up until a few days ago, other than Thorn, who she now knows is dead, she too was the last sane member of her kind.
Because the Phoenix's and the Dragons have always been at war. My ancestors were slaughtered by yours. She paused for a long time, thinking everything over until she gave out a mental sigh. It's my duty to fulfil my races purpose, and destroy the last of the dragon race. And with that last statement, she burst into flame, and all that was left behind was a pile of ash.
Eragon and Saphira thought little of the pile of ash, assuming that was what happened when Phoenix's died, and so decided to continue inland in the closing hours of the day. It wasn't long before they touched down in a clearing in the trees, and as Saphira went off to hunt, Eragon stayed back, exhausted over the day's events.
Being alone gave him time to think, and he thought about a lot of things, but one thing was always on his mind. Saphira. He thought about them, together, however now it didn't seem so strange. Perhaps it was the thought of losing her which scared him, when Azura attacked her, he feared for her life more than his own. He also thought of Azura's threat to destroy the dragon race. Maybe she wasn't dead, or maybe she was, he didn't want to risk putting his guard down either way.
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Somewhere to the west, a group of Humans were making their way north to find a new place to start a village, after their homes were destroyed in the war. "Galdor, you have to see this."Shouted one of the scouts ahead of the group. Galdor ran as quickly as he could to where his scout was shouting from.
"What is it Tathar-"He said, silenced by his amazement at what he saw in front of them. It looked like what seemed to be an egg, surrounded by a pile of ash, except this egg was slightly gigantic, being at least a foot in length. "What do you suppose it is?"
Tathar just shrugged, "Looks like an egg, but it's huge" He picked up the smooth golden egg, and felt it move slightly. He quickly put it into his pack and the two of them set off back to the main group.
"Tathar, I wonder how it got there, and where all of that ash came from" Galdor said, "But until we find out, I think we should keep it a secret from the others, in case they want to steal it from us.
"Agreed, I reckon it would be worth quite a bit to the right buyer, and even so, it might hatch into something. I heard dragons came from eggs." Tathar replied, Hopeful that they might have a dragon of their own some day. His head was filling with thoughts of what it might be like to have a dragon of his own.
"Don't get your hopes up; it might just a golden stone. Even if it is an egg, why would it hatch for us?" Galdor Argued, trying to put a stop to Tathars fantasy before it got out of hand like it always did. Tathar was only 17, and still acted like a child sometimes, but he was like a son to him. Tathars parents died when he was only 8, so Galdor took him in as the child he never had, and raised him as his own.
Tathar ignored his adopted father's response, and knew that this 'egg' was something special, and would someday lead him to adventure. "I know you're something important" he muttered to the egg, which seemed to be giving off a faint glow.
"We'd best hurry up, night is fast approaching, and we don't want to be left out in the dark" Galdor advised, "Supper will be ready soon, and we all know how grouchy you get when you're hungry" He chuckled the last part out, knowing full well it was the truth.
As they drew closer to the temporary encampment, they saw the lights of the campfires dotted around. Overall there was about 30 people who departed from their small village north of Teirm, however their numbers grew once people got word, and now there was over 60 villagers travelling north with them. Galdor was the leader of the group, as it was his idea to move north into the spine, which meant that Tathar was expected to help lead everyone. However he just wanted to be normal, and not to be treated any better than the others just because he was raised by Galdor.
"Tathar, I'm glad to see you got back in time for supper. Don't want you to go hungry eh" Bellowed Fegnus, who was the blacksmiths son, Fegnus was Tathars closest friend, and they had known each other since they were children.
"Aye, we wouldn't want that would we" He chuckled back. "Hey Fegnus, I've got something to show you later on, come over to my tent tomorrow before we leave", he said in a more hushed tone, not wanting Galdor to overhear.
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Saphira finally came into Eragons view, over an hour later, which he was glad of because he was getting quite hungry, and most of all bored. They were about half way back to Uru'bean, which meant if they set off early enough they would be back before tomorrow night. Hopefully.
Finally, your back, what took you so long? Eragon teased, knowing she would usually get a good meal in about 5 or 10 minutes.
Well maybe if I didn't have to hunt for you, and you got your own food, it wouldn't take so long. She replied back, perhaps a little too harshly.
Sorry, maybe I'll help you hunt next time, how hard could it be. He timidly replied, slowly edging closer to her, hoping he'll still get his meal, which luckily Saphira wasn't too angry and gave him a small, although greatly appreciated deer.
They both tucked into their meals, and like last time they ate, Eragon made a huge mess of his scales, meaning once they had finished eating, he had to clean his scales, again. This time however they weren't in any hurry, so Saphira didn't help, which he was glad about. Although part of him enjoyed the closeness of it, it still made him feel awkward.
Saphira, I've been thinking.
What about. She replied.
About earlier on, when we were talking about... Us. Well, when you were attacked by the phoenix, I didn't know what I would do if you... if you. He stuttered over the last words, almost as if saying them might come true.
If I what? She coaxed, trying to get whatever he was trying to say out of him.
If you. He repeated. Died. It's made me realise just how much I... how much I care about you, and how I don't want to lose you.
What are you trying to say Eragon? That you're ready? She asked, confused at his sudden change of heart.
No... Erm well... I suppose. I guess what I mean is that I erm... I want to be with you, and we can work our way up to... well that. He fumbled around his words, feeling embarrassed at sharing how he feels with Saphira, mainly because they're about her.
Eragon, you have no idea how happy this makes me. She excitedly cried out to his mind. Of course I would be thrilled to... Well be with you. It may not be mating, but it's a start I suppose, she thought to herself.
By then it was almost the middle of the night, so Saphira decided that it would be best to get some sleep before their long flight the next day. She slowly curled up on the ground, and was about to fall straight to sleep, When she was suddenly surprised by something brushing up against her back. She reached her head up to see what it was, and was even more shocked to see Eragon curled up around her.
He gave her a sheepish grin (or as sheepish as a dragon can grin) and simply said. Its cold and I though sleeping next to each other might keep us warm.
She wrapped her tail around his, ecstatic at his sudden outburst of affection. Good night Eragon. She whispered in his mind, as he draped one of his wings over her back, and she slowly drifted off into a deep slumber.
Good night Saphira.
Well what do you think? It's been a month so it might not be as good as my other chapters, I also took some of the advice from my reviews, so I hope you enjoyed it. As you can tell, Azura (the phoenix) won't be a major character in the story yet, and for now I will focus most of the book on Eragon and Saphira, but Galdor and Tathar will crop up here and there. Anyway please review, I will try to get the next chapter up sooner than this one was. Thanks for reading.
